AR Iron sights question

[Redfisher60]

I have a new toy to shoot! I bought a S&W M&P AR Sport 2.
I am going to shoot with the irons at first but do plan on a red dot very soon.

So how do you typically sight these in? Do you try to line up the top of the front middle bar with the bottom of the circle peep on the rear?
Seems like I need some paint also to help see with my 60 yr old eyes.

Cant wait to have some fun! Who knows, we may even get a zombie horde invasion!

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

 

[Sam1911]

In practice you should hardly even be able to see the rear peep circle when you're in firing position. It is there to center your eye in exactly the same place over the rifle stock. Your eye should be very, very close to the aperture and it should "ghost" out, becoming lost in your peripheral vision. Then you just put the front post on (or under, depending on your purpose) the target.

I'd say the above drawing should look more like this:



You really don't see a circle at all. You just see the front sight out there in front of you. Because your eye must be in the right spot to see through the aperture, your bullets will go wherever that front sight post lands.

This is faster than the older style "post and notch" sights because you aren't paying any attention to the rear sight at all. If you can see through it, that's all that matters. Put the front post on the target and press the trigger.



Now, if you're shooting match bulls-eyes, you might want to zero the rifle so that you balance the "ball" of the bullseye on top of the front sight. (a "6'oclock hold") If you're shooting critters, silhouette targets, practical matches, etc, then you probably want a center hold, so that your bullets strike right at the point of the front sight post.

 

[Sam1911]

Similarly, I'd adjust the first picture to this:



If you can see the target, background, and rear sight wings around the rear sight, you're WAAAAY too far back from the sight. Move up CLOSE.

The old advice is "nose to the charging handle." That should get you about close enough to use the sight properly.

 

[grampajack]

I would suggest watching some youtube vids about sighting in. It's easier to show someone than to explain it to them.

 

[Redfisher60]

Thanks
Yeah the you tube vids are pretty good!

 

[grampajack]

Thanks
Yeah the you tube vids are pretty good!

What kind of sights do you have? Are they A2 or backup irons? If you're not sure just take a picture of them with your phone and post it. I'm assuming the front sight is the standard FSB, and I believe the Sport II came with a Magpul BUIS rear?

 

[RPZ]

With a peep or ghost ring rear sight the eye can naturally center the top of the front sight post in the center.

Not only are these sights fast compared to notched leaf rear sights for combat shooting, in target configuration they can be extremely precise. This is because the human eye can visually detect differences in measurements of one ten thousands of an inch. I learned this from a dissertation on guns by makers such as BSA when barrel contours were finished by hand using files(!).

 

[readyeddy]

This interesting topic has been raised in the past about whether one consciously centers the front post in the aperture or whether the eye naturally centers the front post.

Most will say that the front post naturally centers, but Bart B. discussed competitive shooter show manually centered the front post to achieve desired accuracy.

I'm no where in the same league as Bart or the others here, but I will say that the smaller aperture makes precise shooting easier in my experience where I consciously attempt to center the front post within the aperture circle. Perhaps it is where speed is essential where one is best served ignoring the ghost ring?

 

[Wisco]

And remember to focus on the front sight, not the target. And with the red dot, focus on the target.

 

[Redfisher60]

I think I might put some paint on the ring and front post to help pick it up quicker.

Shopping for ammo now

 

[RussellC]

I would just put it on the front post, and not worry about the ring, but that's just me. I would also, if I just had to paint something, just put a small fleck at the top of the post......everyone's eyes are different. Likely you will get used to it and just flick it off later. All that paint would distract me.

Russellc

 

[Redfisher60]

I will just start out with the post.

 

[RussellC]

I will just start out with the post.

You can always add or subtract more or less paint.

Russellc

 

[Mosin Bubba]

I had never shot a peep sight prior to getting my AR. I just followed this forum's advice - focus on the front sight - and sighted my rifle in so that the bullets were hitting right on the top center of the post.

Even with a cheap rifle and an even cheaper $20 rear sight, I was shooting 1 inch groups at 50 yards right off the bat.

I didn't think it was too hard. The A2 "small" sight is a little too small for quick shooting IMO, but it makes a good target sight.

 

[H&R Glock]

I just got a Del-Ton AR. I also have the carrying handle rear sight and a block type rear flip up sight. If you are as old as me, (74) skip it and get yourself a low cost 4X scope with mounts that won't interfere with the front sight.
All 3 went to the range today. The scope stays on the gun. All the aperture type sights look fuzzy to my old eyes!

 

[Sam1911]

Yeah, don't put anything at all on the rear peep/aperture. You do not want to have anything on that ring that will draw your eye. You're NOT supposed to see it.

Paint on the front post might work ok. It really depends on what kind of targets you're shooting at. The flat-top black sight blade is really well suited for seeing a round bulls-eye perched on top of it. You wouldn't want to paint it white if you were going to be holding against a white background.

However, if you're trying to see it against a dark silhouette or mottled background like in some hunting conditions, you might want to make it contrast like that.

 

[Sam1911]

And, let's be pragmatic here. Iron sights are very cool and it's important to know how to use them. But if you aren't in competition that requires them or makes them really advantageous, (NRA Hi-power, CMP service rifle) then a simple scope is probably going to be far easier for most people to use. Scopes and red dot optical sights are cheaper and more durable than ever. No reason to avoid them if a reasonable amount of effort put into iron sights leaves you still frustrated.

 

[Sistema1927]

Unless there is something wrong with your eyes, the front sight will center itself. Get close to the rear sight, focus on the front sight, and you will be fine.

 

[1911 guy]

My experience is not competitive, but I have toted a rifle around several continents and put a few rounds through them. Specifically the M16/M4 rifles. My opinions are thus:

Black is the best option for a sight. Paint is a distraction.
Consistent mount and cheek weld is a large portion of the equation.
Focus on the front sight, let your eye and brain center it in the peep automatically. Cheek weld helps immensely.
For a range gun, use the small peep. For a general use or defensive rifle, default to the larger peep, you can select the smaller one if time and distance allow or require.
Red dot sights and low magnification scopes are very worthwhile. Absolute or lower third co-witness is a matter of personal preference as they both work well.
Iron sight point of aim and point of impact can change depending on shooting position. Get to know your rifle.